Faults:

Lots of wear and tear parts replaced over the years, car was relatively trouble free.

Did wear out brake pads early.

Had some electric issues but nothing major.

Major rust killed it of in 2016 - failed MOT and was scrapped.

General Comments:

Old school Focus was a fine run about.

Good looking, nice to drive.

1.6 was decent performing and did about 38 mpg taking it easy.

Spacious and comfy interior.

Very sharp handling, great fun on twisty roads.

I do miss it, and it was way advanced in many ways than the old Escort, but even looking back at these cars they are dated now! How time flies.

Faults:

Timing belt and water pump, shocks, exhaust, brakes, battery, various sensors, wheel bearings, clutch starting to judder, etc.

Doors a bit stiff, and there is rust here and there. Bonnet jammed. Mostly all wear and tear, it is an older car now. Never any major faults or break downs though.

General Comments:

Last of the first generation Focus on an 04 reg, my dark red saloon model is something of a rarity. Most are hatchbacks. It has been a great little car for the long time I have had it.

Ghia model is very well equipped. Nice seats and electric everything. Interior quality is good. Seats are comfortable. Driving position is good.

Nice looking car with alloy wheels. Boot space is good enough.

Pretty refined and smooth to drive. 1.6 petrol engine could do with better performance and economy though - it struggles to overtake sometimes, and you only get 35 - 40 mpg at very best.

To finish I would say it has been a good car. Considering the age and mileage it won't last forever, but I am happy to keep it going for now.

Faults:

Since replacing the water pump and cambelt, the new water pump leaks slightly. Not really the car's fault, just a substandard aftermarket part. As coolant loss is so small it isn't worth the hassle of removing the cambelt to fix it.

Needed a new battery.

Idle speed a bit low, leading to vibration on tickover especially when the air-con is on.

Reliability has been very good in general despite the car's age and advanced mileage; even the original heated front screen still works.

At 12 years old the car has minimal corrosion, which proves to me the Mk1 Focus is much less rot prone than many other Fords of the same era.

General Comments:

Has been a great car with just trivial faults or typical wear and tear items like tyres and brakes. If I can fault anything with it, it's that the 1.6 engine is a tad underpowered. This combined with tall gearing makes the car struggle at motorway speeds. If there is any type of incline, the car will not maintain 70mph without changing down into 4th gear. Also struggles with hills on normal roads, especially if loaded up. Overtaking slower traffic also takes careful planning.

I cannot fault the ride and handling though, and fuel economy is generally pretty good.

I would have another, but it would have to be a bigger engine model.